Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-08-11
THE BEATITUDES.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
S. M'ARTHUR D. D.

Golden Text, John /, IL.
vi The Multitudes-That Is the great
multitudes or crowds mentioned in the last
verse of the previous chapter, which, strictly
speaking, is part of this narrative. Went up
This does not imply 4customary action, but
he went up on this occasion. The original
says the mountain, but what one it may not
be easy for US to ASCERTAIN. Perhaps it
mountain region rather than distinct noun
tain We know that it was in the neighbor-
hood of Capernaum The tradition which
names the Horns of Hattin two SUBMITS near
together1 as the mountain, cannot be traced
further back than the Thirteenth century.
This mountain is between Tabor and TIberias,
and is seven miles southwest of Capernaum.
When he was set-Among the Orientals,
teachers as well as workmen and others who
stand among u.s. usually sit while engaged in
their regular employment Disciples-Pupils,
scholars; the term is applied to the twelve
apostles, and also to all Christ's followers.
There were those following him in the inner
circle and those in the outer circle to whom
the term is applied
V. q Opened his mouth.-This expression
has always arrested attention. 1t is not mean
ingless; it is not simply q statement that he
began to teach. 1t is rather an Oriental
form OF expression, lnOlCdlluS Auc OS6nlnAnS
of a formal authoritative and solemn dis
course Some have supposed that it is here
placed over against his former silence, but the
Interpretation we have given is in harmony
both with classical and scriptural usage.
Taught-This great fact is to be emphasized.
The teacher of men is the king of men.
Ideas rule the world. Christi teachings are
the profoundest, purest and sublimest the
world has ever known
VS. We now come to the sermon proper.
A benediction was the first word of this peer
less discourse. Ali men desire to know the
secret of happiness. Here it may be found.
This first word must have caught the ear and
thrilled the heart Of every hearer. Blessed
This word means happy rather than blessed,
although we may not be willing to make the
substitution. There is another Greek word
in the New Testament which strictly means
blessed, and which is appropriately applied to
God Poor in spirit. Those who are con-
scious of spiritual poverty, the lowly N heart,
the spiritually weak, dependent and rrustful
Many men look upon the possession of wealth
as an evidence of the favor If God. Christ
teaches different truth. This benediction
belongs to the poor in spirit, whether they are
rich or poor in this worlds goods. There is
no reflection on wealth, there is no necessary
commendation of poverty, in this connection.
All depends upon the spirit of the person who
is rich or poor.
" They that mourn.-There may be
sorrow which brings no blessings-the sor-
row Of the world, which worketh death; but
those who sincerely mourn under providential
dispensations may claim this blessing Those
who sorrow penitently for their sins, who
trustfully long for Christ's presence-these
are the happy ones. Their comfort is certain;
their sins shall assursdly be forgiven; grace
shall be bestowed, and Christ's presence en-
joyed Il is strange paradox when we say,
Happy are they that mourn" That nc
tf1i11k it strange may be an evidence Of its
truth. Christ thus corrects another common
mistake.
VS.. The meek-These are the gentle, long
suffering, forgiving. They avoid all ostenta-
ton. They have meek and quiet spirit
which is of great price. The promise is that
they shall inherit the earth.
v g. Hunger and thirst.-As men long de-
prived of food and drink hunger and thirst
for them SO do these here mentioned desire
righteousness Righteousness is holi-
ness of heart and rightness of life, likeness to
God Those who long for this blessing shall
be filed. The longing for Righteousness in
dicates the presence OF Righteousness. They
shall enjoy the blessing of Christ's righteous
ness impaired to them and possessed by them
Those who have this spiritual hunger and
thirst shall be filed, whether they are rich or
poor in this worlds goods.
VI The merciful.-They are those who
feel sympathy with the distressed. They also
make efforts to remove the miseries of men.
They shall obtain mercy.-True compass
sionate love in the heart shows that Gods
mercy and favor are in that heart. To re-
ceive forgiveness we must bestow forgive
ness A forgiving disposition precedes the
experience of forgiveness.
" 8. The pure in heart-This grace is a
fruit of the Spirit of God. The heart of such
persons is free from intentional impurities.
There will be an absence Of all uncleanness in
a scriptural sense, although the meaning is
not limited to chastity. Hypocrisy, deceit
and falsehood shall be strangers to the pure in
heart This statement Of Christ's corrects
the idea that the cunning, the sharp, the
wicked are the prosperous and successful in
life Shall see God.-This is the highest hap
piness Commentators and historians remind
US that kings in eastern countries were not
accustomed often to show themselves to the
people. Those who had the privilege of en-
tcring the royal palaces are described as
''those that see the kings face" We see God
in proportion as we are pure here and now.
Only the pure can see him.
v g. The Peacemakers.-Christ is the
true peacemaker. He reconciles God to men
and men to God and men to one another.
In their measure his followers are to be
peacemakers. There is no nobler service,
there is no service which requires more sane
titled common sense. Christ's Gospel, if more
the rule of life, would produce universal peace.
This spirit ought to be present in the heart Of
every Christian War is a reproach to the
Christianity of our day. II is time that the
principles of peace ruled the nations of the
earth. All national and international difficult
ties might be settled by arbitration. Shall
be called; that is they shall not only be the
children of God, but they shall be pnblicly
recognized as such. Earthly kingdoms may
make but little of peacemakers; God calls
them his sons. Children of God-sons, that
is, children of mature growth. They are
born of the spirit; they partake of the divine
nature; they are adopted into the divine
family. In heaven they shall wear the crown
as children of the king.
Y. 10. Persecuted.-This is the last class
mentioned. These might seem to be excepted;
but Christ gives them the special honor.
They need much comfort. Here he declares
that they have it. Even Gods children must
expect persecution. 1t is a condition inSep-
arable sometimes from that character. The
blessing is not promised to all who suffer, but
only to those who are prosecuted for right
eousness' sake, because of their devotion to
truth.
V. IL The address becomes direct and i'm
mediate There is a blessing following re-
proach. Reviie.-Reproach you even to
your face. Persecute.-Commit acts of per-
secution. 1t was common TO charge the early
Christians with horrible crimes The case Of
Nero suggests itself. In order that a reward
may be enjoyed, the suffering must be expe-
rienced for Christ's sake. In the charge to
the second person in this verse, we see that
personal application is made to his hearers.
V. IL Here we strike the lyric and exult.
ant strain of which we have spoken. Chris
tianity means joy, light, peace, victory. Be
levers have great reward. They may well
rejoice The prophets were 50 prosecuted
This is introduced to suggest to the disciples
that their most distinguished predecessors
had similar experiences. We remember the
cases of Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Daniel and MANY others The strange COM